Effects of chronic bicarbonate ingestion on the performance of high-intensity work

We have evaluated whether sodium bicarbonate, taken chronically (0.5 g . kg (-1) body mass) for a period of 5 days would improve the performance of eig ht subjects during 60 s of high-intensity exercise on an electrically brake d cycle ergometer. The first test was performed prior to chronic supplement ation (pre-ingestion) while the post-ingestion test took place 6 days later . A control test took place approximately I month after the cessation of al l testing. Acid-base and metabolite data (n = 7) were measured from arteria lised blood both pre- and post-exercise, as well as daily throughout the ex ercise period. The work completed by the subjects in the control and pre-in gestion test [21.1 (0.9) and 21.1 (0.9) MJ, respectively] was less than (P < 0.05) that completed in the post-ingestion test [24.1 (0.9) MJ; F-(2,F-21 ) = 3.4, P < 0.05, power = 0.57]. Peak power was higher after the 5-day sup plementation period (P < 0.05). Ingestion of the sodium bicarbonate for a p eriod of 5 days resulted in an increase in pH (F-(5,F-36) = 12.5, P < 0.000 1, power = 1.0) over the 5-day period. The blood bicarbonate levels also ro se during the trial (P < 0.05) from a resting level of 22.8 (0.4) to 28.4 ( 1.1) mmol . l(-1) after 24 h of ingestion. In conclusion, the addition of s odium bicarbonate to a normal diet proved to be of ergogenic benefit in the performance of short-term, high-intensity work.